Marriott Chef Cooks Up Turkey And Trends At Www.eatturkey.com

Throughout the month of May, the National Turkey Federations (NTF) Virtual Menu 2003 program on www.eatturkey.com will showcase how the Oak Leaf Restaurant at the Washington Dulles Airport Marriott embraces turkeys growing popularity with Chef Timothy Grandinettis specialty entrie, Cast Iron Seared Turkey Cutlets. Served with old-fashioned cornbread stuffing, asparagus, spinach and flash-fried tomato coins and topped with a ladle of garlic chive pan gravy, Chef Grandinettis turkey cutlet specialty is a bold entrie that represents the trend toward robust flavors evident throughout restaurants across the country.

We first learned of Chef Grandinettis signature dish when he wrote to us about his success with turkey at the Oak Leaf restaurant in the Marriott, comments Sherrie Rosenblatt, NTFs director of public relations. Our Executive Committee tasted first hand how Chef Grandinetti captures current menu trends with turkey to satisfy his varied customer base. It was clear that this entrie should be a feature on Virtual Menu 2003 where we focus on todays turkey trends in restaurants across the nation.

Not only is turkey incredibly popular with American palates, but its extremely versatile and its applications are limited only by your own creativity, noted Chef Grandinetti, C.E.C. Croquettes, colossal turkey wings, consommi and soups, breaded cutlets, classic galantines, roasted turkey legs, and mousse and pate applications are just a few of the ways I use turkey. Its a complete food product."

NTFs Virtual Menu 2003 unveils current turkey trends on www.eatturkey.com, with recipes submitted by a wide variety of foodservice operations  from independents to national chains. Each month, a different establishment offers a popular turkey item from their menu, along with a plate shot, food costs when available, and a quote from a restaurant representative on the benefits of turkey and why they choose to serve it. Once Chef Grandinettis Cast Iron Seared Turkey Cutlet entrie has been featured, it will be added to the Virtual Menu Turkey Trends page joining Arbys, The Fireplace of Boston and Wildflower Bread Company. There it will continue to be linked to NTFs recipe database of more than 600 innovative turkey applications and its library of 30 celebrity chef demonstrations.

About the National Turkey Federation
The National Turkey Federation is the advocate for all segments of the U.S. turkey industry. Its award-winning web site, www.eatturkey.com, offers successful on-line professional chef cooking demonstrations and a searchable database of more than 600 recipes that exhibit turkeys versatility as a profit-building item, which enhances menus in all meal occasions during every season of the year. Operators can also go to www.eatturkey.com to sign up for the RecipE-mail program to register to receive unique recipe ideas that add flair to holiday and special occasion menus year-round.